An oil rig that ran aground in the Western Isles has been lifted onto the back of a colossal ship which will carry it across the globe to be dismantled.

The Transocean Winner grounded near Carloway on Lewis during a storm on August 8.

It was towed free two weeks later and taken to Broad Bay on the far side of the island.

After a series of failed attempts, the rig was moved into position over the submerged OHT Hawk on Thursday, which then rose back to the surface with the platform on its deck.

Work was under way on Friday to secure the Transocean Winner to the deck of the 60,000-tonne vessel before their 2000-mile journey to Turkey begins.

About 50 litres of oil leaked into the sea during the operation on Thursday.

Salvage expert Hugh Shaw, who is overseeing the exercise, said: "I'm delighted that after so much work and effort that the operation to load the Transocean Winner has been successful.

"We're so grateful to the community in the area for being so supportive from the time the rig first grounded in August right through this long process."